Obituary: Showalter, S.J., Joseph L.

SHOWALTER, Joseph L., S.J.

Passed away the morning of April 18, 2012 at the Jesuit Infirmary, Spokane, WA.

The eldest of two children, Joseph Lauren Showalter was born on February 9, 1927, to Benjamin and Veronica Kay (Druffel) Showalter in Spokane, WA.

He graduated from Gonzaga High School in 1944, and entered the Jesuit Novitiate at Sheridan, OR, on August 14, 1944, and was ordained a priest on June 15, 1957, at St. Aloysius Church, Spokane, WA.

Joe spent ten years teaching high school (Gonzaga Prep and Bellarmine Prep, Tacoma) and then transitioned to parish ministry and development work for the Oregon Jesuits.

Declining health made retirement necessary; he moved to Spokane in 1999 to live and pray with his brother Jesuits at the Oregon Province assisted-living center.

Joe is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Britta Showalter of Bloomington, MN, nieces Ann (Serdar), Mary Jo (Rolczynski), Meg (McManmon), Teri (Drake), and nephews Steve, Fr.

Tom, and Robert, as well as many grand and great grand nephews and nieces.

There are numerous cousins, friends, as well as his brother Jesuits of the Oregon Province.

A vigil service will be held at 7pm, Friday, April 20 at the Jesuit House Chapel, Gonzaga University.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 2:30pm, Saturday, April 21, likewise at the Jesuit House Chapel.

Inurnment will follow at the Oregon Province Cemetery, Mt.

St. Michael’s, Spokane, WA.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the Senior Fund (Oregon Province Society of Jesus, P.O.

Box 86010, Portland, OR 97286) or to Hospice of Spokane (121 S Arthur, Spokane, WA 99202).

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ball & Dodd Funeral Home, 5100 West Wellesley Ave., Spokane, WA.